Chapter 77: More Fights
Zhu Zhanji persevered for a few days before his health completely collapsed. With the New Year's Day of the tenth year of Xuande approaching, the palace was shrouded in a gloomy mood. Perhaps to suit the occasion, the occasional snowflakes fell, adding to the desolate atmosphere.
As soon as Hu Shanxiang came to the Ganqing Palace to take care of the sick, Zhu Yuhuan followed her, leaving Han Guilan to help Zhu Youtong look after the Kunning Palace, and asked Huai En to deliver any news.
Zhu Zhanji was in a coma, and Hu Shanxiang personally watched the palace maids decoct the medicine. Zhu Yuhuan then took charge and wiped Zhu Zhanji's face. He then reached out and touched Zhu Zhanji's forehead, and found that the temperature was a little low.
Although Zhu Yuhuan didn't know much about medicine, seeing Zhu Zhanji's pale face, she knew he was in a bad state. She had also asked Wu Miaosu about this. Most of the time, Zhu Zhanji suffered from either a headache or nausea, but he didn't vomit or cough up blood. The most severe of these symptoms was a splitting headache. Because of this, Zhu Zhanji now spent less time awake and more time asleep.
Considering the cause of Zhu Gaochi's death, Zhu Yuhuan could only vaguely guess that Zhu Zhanji might have inherited the complications brought about by Zhu Gaochi's obesity, perhaps cerebral hemorrhage caused by the three highs, etc. It would be impossible to cure it in this era.
It was a reality that anyone with a discerning eye could see that Zhu Zhanji was not doing well. Even the New Year's Day court worship tomorrow was cancelled in advance. Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen would hold court in the Wenhua Hall. Of course, Empress Dowager Zhang would be watching personally to avoid any mistakes in etiquette.
Zhu Yuhuan sat on the edge of the bed, holding his chin with one hand, and every once in a while he would use a wet handkerchief to wipe Zhu Zhanji's lips.
If Zhu Zhanji didn't know when he would wake up, Zhu Yuhuan would have wanted to take a book and read it while taking care of him.
The emperor might fall into a deep sleep at any moment, and the palace guards in the palace dared not even make a sound. For a moment, the surroundings were terribly quiet, and all they could hear was the rustling sound of falling snow outside.
Fortunately, Zhu Zhanji, who was originally sleeping on the bed, soon moved. He first coughed violently a few times, then frowned and slowly opened his eyes. Seeing this, Zhu Yuhuan immediately wanted to ask someone to call Hu Shanxiang, but Zhu Zhanji had already reached out to stop her.
Seeing Zhu Yuhuan holding the handkerchief, Zhu Zhanji said with some difficulty: "Huanhuan... tell them not to inform the queen yet, and let them leave..."
His voice became a little weak and hoarse due to his serious illness, but it was still loud and clear in the silent palace at this moment. So Wang Jin immediately waved to the palace servants around him, signaling them to retreat with him.
Zhu Yuhuan immediately picked up several cushions and placed them behind Zhu Zhanji. Although she had never taken care of a patient, she had barely taken care of the emperor Zhu Gaochi. In this regard, Zhu Yuhuan was quite experienced and not unfamiliar.
Although there was no big ripple in his heart, Zhu Yuhuan's eyes were still red.
Zhu Zhanji looked at his daughter's caring and filial piety, and thought that today was New Year's Eve, and he couldn't help feeling complicated. He half-jokingly said, "It seems that this year it will be just us... the three of us will stay up together to celebrate the New Year."
If it were previous years, the palace would be bustling with activity, and he might be sharing the joy of the New Year with his wives, concubines, and children.
Zhu Yuhuan naturally noticed Zhu Zhanji's subtle emotion. She picked up a scroll from the side and slowly unfolded it in front of Zhu Zhanji. In the painting, there were two boys of similar age playing Cuju against each other. Judging from their clothes, they were brothers. The background was not in the palace, but a garden full of spring. Not far away, there were several women dressed as ladies looking at the two people playing Cuju, holding embroidery frames in their hands, with gentle smiles on their faces.
Zhu Yuhuan then spoke, "Dad, this is Tongtong's New Year's gift for you. I originally wanted to give it to you personally, but you are recuperating now. Tongtong didn't want to disturb your rest, so she asked me to bring it to you."
This picture is a Cuju picture drawn for Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiuyu in the spring. Zhu Youtong didn't want to draw a picture for Zhu Qizhen at first, but Zhu Qizhen wanted it, and she didn't want to embarrass her mother and sister, so she drew one in the end. Unexpectedly, it comes in handy now.
Logically speaking, the painting should have been completed long ago, but Zhu Yuhuan had a few more requirements and asked Zhu Youtong to add a few strokes to it.
Zhu Zhanji almost immediately recognized the two people in the painting as his sons. His eyes couldn't help but become moist as he said, "Good, good, Tongtong, this painting is very good."
What he was most worried about was his sons. Not only was it related to the throne, but he was also worried that his two sons would die early like himself. Zhu Yuhuan's presentation of this picture at this time was a shot in the arm for Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Yuhuan took his hand and gently brushed the cheeks of the two children in the painting, saying, "Daddy, look, they are still not grown up. The protection of the concubines in the harem is not enough. They still need your blessing."
Zhu Zhanji felt a pang of sadness when he heard his daughter still hope that he could recover. He said, "This painting shows Concubine He Hui and Concubine Cao, right?"
"Yes." Zhu Yuhuan sobbed, "Tongtong and I usually go to Renshou Palace to pay our respects to Grandma. The Empresses have no children, so they are very kind to my two younger brothers. They always think of us brothers and sisters when there is something delicious or fun. Although Zhen'er is not very familiar with the Empresses, Yu'er has received a lot of care."
Zhu Zhanji sighed for a long time before saying, "They are both old people in the palace..." After he finished speaking, he fell silent, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Seeing that he remained silent, Zhu Yuhuan knelt down, kowtowed heavily, and said, "Father, now that Grandma and Mother are gone, I dare to ask for your mercy. Please, for all the years of filial piety that these concubine mothers have shown to Grandma, forgive them for not bearing an heir to the throne. Please spare their lives and confine them to serving Grandma in the palace."
Even without looking up, Zhu Yuhuan could sense that Zhu Zhanji's eyes were cold for a moment.
Zhu Zhanji's tone was filled with reprimands as he said, "Huanhuan, have you forgotten what you promised your father? How can you succeed by being soft-hearted?"
Without even looking up, Zhu Yuhuan said respectfully, "The Book of Documents says, 'The virtue of loving life resonates with the hearts of the people.' Father, you are kind and tolerant. You have been in power for nine years, and all the officials and the people praise your kindness. Furthermore, the imperial power is majestic, and my brother is of noble status. How dare the concubines take advantage of their status? I beg you for mercy, firstly because you have indeed taken good care of me, and secondly, this act demonstrates the emperor's grace. The officials will surely feel the same way and be grateful to you."
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Zhanji finally sighed helplessly and said, "Huanhuan, benevolence is reserved for those closest to you. Don't be too kind to others except those in our family. How can I let my father rest assured if you do this?"
In fact, Zhu Zhanji felt relieved by her plea. At least his daughter knew what it meant to be soft-hearted. She even cared about her stepmother who was not related to her by blood, not to mention her younger brother who could protect her future.
Zhu Yuhuan, who was kneeling on the ground, heard this and the tears in her eyes finally flowed out. She wiped her tears and said, "Huanhuan has disappointed Daddy..."
Zhu Zhanji reluctantly raised his hand to wipe away the tears on his daughter's cheek and said, "From now on, when your father is not by your side, you must not cry anymore. Do you understand?"
Zhu Yuhuan choked up and said, "I understand..."
Zhu Zhanji couldn't help but sigh and said, "Daddy has granted the grace you asked for. Daddy will ask Wang Jin to ask the cabinet to issue an edict to exempt the concubines and palace maids from being buried alive with the emperor." As soon as he said this, Zhu Yuhuan threw himself on the side of his bed and sobbed, but the cry was very restrained, obviously for fear of being blamed by Zhu Zhanji.
Zhu Yuhuan was not a fool. The reputation of exempting the concubines in the harem from being buried alive with the emperor belonged to Zhu Zhanji, not her, Zhu Yuhuan. Moreover, Zhu Zhanji exempted his own concubines and palace maids from being buried alive with the emperor, but did not exempt the concubines and palace maids of the vassal kings from being buried alive with the emperor.
This round of sweet talk was of no use to her; it was more like a pure beating to Zhu Yuhuan.
Zhu Zhanji patted his daughter's back gently and said, "Huanhuan, go get the imperial edict from the third shelf."
Zhu Yuhuan, who was originally concentrating on his crying career, was stunned and felt a little puzzled.
Now, they were the only two people in the palace, father and daughter. If nothing unexpected happened, the imperial edict should be for her. But Zhu Zhanji had already explained everything he needed to say in the carriage. Now, he came with another imperial edict. What did it mean?
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